The sea stretched boundlessly, with nothing but more sea as far as the eye could see.
At first, Song Qian and the others found it novel and amusing. Song Qian even leaped out onto the sea a few times, skimming across the water with her Lightness Skill.
But after more than ten straight days at sea, not only had the impatient Song Qian grown bored, even Song Xuan found it monotonous.
That day, the ship docked at a harbor pier, where it would stay for two days to replenish its food and fresh water and take a brief rest.
Unable to withstand Song Qian's pleading, Song Xuan took her and his younger cousin Lin Daiyu ashore, intending to explore the towns around the pier.
Before disembarking, Song Xuan casually asked Lin Pingzhi whether he wanted to join them.
Lin Pingzhi declined. As the ship's owner, he needed to stay aboard with the escorts to guard the cargo, so he did not accompany them.
"Little Lin, you're young, but you certainly take your responsibilities seriously!" Song Qian praised him as she left the ship.
At her words, Lin Pingzhi immediately smiled, his cheeks actually flushing like a young maiden's, which prompted a burst of laughter and teasing from Song Qian.
Not far from the pier stood a village.
As they wandered, they came upon it. From a distance, they could see that the villagers were beating gongs and drums and playing suonas. It looked quite lively.
"Shall we go take a look?" Song Xuan asked casually.
"Yes, let's!" Song Qian loved joining in the fun and immediately wanted to go inside.
Lin Daiyu said softly, "I have no objections. I'll leave the arrangements to you, Cousin."
Song Xuan smiled and looked her over, leaving Lin Daiyu rather baffled. "Cousin, why are you looking at me?"
Song Xuan smiled. "I heard from the servants at Rongguo Mansion that Miss Lin's words cut like knives, and nobody could ever get the better of her.
"It seems hearsay really is unreliable. You don't look particularly domineering to me, Cousin."
Lin Daiyu gave a bitter smile. "Living under someone else's roof as I do, if I weren't a little assertive, how could I live with any dignity in a grand household like Jia Mansion?
"If I could enjoy peaceful days, why would I want to trade barbs and play mind games with them?"
"That's true..."
Song Xuan nodded. As they spoke, they reached the village entrance. Seeing them approach, several elderly men from the village hurried over to greet them.
Perhaps because the three were richly dressed and seemed to be people of distinction, the elders did not dare neglect them. One even asked somewhat stiffly, "May I ask where our honored guests have come from?"
Song Xuan cupped his hands in greeting. "We've come from the Imperial Capital. We were passing through and noticed the festivities, so we came to have a look. Sir, what happy occasion is the village celebrating?"
"Ah, honored guests from the Imperial Capital!"
The old man laughed heartily, even the wrinkles on his face seeming to diminish. "Today is my son's wedding day. Would you honor us by coming into the village for a drink?"
"We wouldn't be intruding?"
"Not at all, not at all!"
After a moment's consideration, Song Xuan cupped his hands. "Then pardon our intrusion. We'll come share in the joy."
They followed the old man into the village and were led into a somewhat shabby but thoroughly cleaned courtyard. Seven or eight banquet tables had been set out, and many guests were already seated.
The old man led them to the seats of honor. Once they sat down, Song Xuan and the others saw the bride and groom bowing to heaven and earth. Firecrackers and musical instruments sounded together, noisy but wonderfully festive.
After the bows to heaven and earth, people began serving food and wine.
The wine was rice wine brewed in the village, and the food was hardly lavish, consisting mostly of common vegetables. Only the final dish, a pork knuckle, counted as substantial fare. Almost as soon as it reached the table, their fellow diners divided up most of it.
Song Xuan discreetly checked the food, and once he was certain it was not poisoned, he gave Song Qian and Lin Daiyu a look to indicate they could eat.
They had not been eating long when the newlyweds returned to their room to change clothes, then began offering toasts to the guests under the old man's guidance.
As it happened, customs in the Great Zhou Dynasty were relatively relaxed. Apart from the many rules observed by wealthy households, ordinary farming families had few strict requirements when it came to weddings.
After bowing to heaven and earth, the bride did not have to remain in her room. Instead, she could join her husband's family in offering toasts.
As honored guests from the Imperial Capital, Song Xuan and his companions received a toast from the newlyweds right after the village elders.
The groom was a sturdy farm lad with an honest face. The bride's skin was not particularly fair, but her features were regular and delicate. Both were now looking at Song Xuan expectantly.
The groom's father, the old man, rubbed his hands together nervously. "Honored guest, could you offer my son a few words of blessing?"
After draining his cup, Song Xuan smiled. "Ten years of cultivation earn a crossing in the same boat; a hundred years earn the sharing of a pillow. To find each other in the boundless sea of humanity is a marriage bond a thousand years in the making.
"May you grow old together until your hair turns white, and may your hearts remain forever united!"
"Well said!"
Some of the guests clapped and cheered. They did not know precisely what made the words so good, but these were blessings from a distinguished visitor from the Imperial Capital, so they surely had to be good.
The old man was beside himself with delight and thanked Song Xuan repeatedly. Such simple, honest warmth left Song Xuan feeling a little embarrassed.
As evening approached, Song Xuan politely declined the old man's offer to put them up for the night. After bidding the newlyweds farewell, they headed toward the county town more than ten li away.
That evening, they found an inn in the county town. After a simple dinner, they booked two fine rooms and retired to rest.
Lin Daiyu shared a room with Song Qian, but she kept tossing and turning, unable to sleep. Growing impatient, Song Qian flicked her forehead.
"You little girl, what are you thinking about instead of sleeping in the middle of the night?"
Lin Daiyu showed no trace of sleepiness, her eyes bright in the darkness. "Cousin, I've lived in Rongguo Mansion since I was little. This is my first time staying at an inn outside, so I'm a bit nervous."
"What is there to be nervous about?" Song Qian yawned. "What, are you afraid a Flower Thief will slip in and defile you?"
As she spoke, she looked Lin Daiyu over. "With those skinny little arms and legs of yours, even if a Flower Thief had designs on us, surely he'd come after me first?"
She puffed out her chest as she spoke, apparently rather pleased with herself.
Lin Daiyu did not know what to say. Judging by her cousin's expression, she actually seemed to be looking forward to a Flower Thief breaking in.
Sometimes she felt that her cousin's mind worked in such peculiar ways that she simply could not fathom what she was thinking.
"Cousin, that line your brother said today, 'Ten years of cultivation earn a crossing in the same boat; a hundred years earn the sharing of a pillow'-which book did he read it in?"
All evening, Lin Daiyu had been savoring those words. The more she pondered them, the more evocative they seemed.
It was hard to imagine that words carrying such hints of karma and reincarnation had actually come from a martial artist like her cousin.
"Oh, that? I heard my brother say it when I was little."
Song Qian thought back. "I think it was from a story my brother told called the Legend of the White Snake. Have you heard it?"
Lin Daiyu shook her head.
Seeing this, Song Qian immediately felt a little superior. "Everyone calls you a talented scholar, but it looks like you haven't read enough books after all.
"I'll tell it to you. This story begins on distant Mount Qingcheng..."
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